OTTER text and drive safety app calls on teens and parents to work together

July 12, 2010 - PRLog -- SEATTLE, WA  – The text and drive epidemic has seen the media focus on the highest risk drivers - teens - as a flash point.   Over the last several weeks new research has revealed that teen drivers may not be the biggest offenders.(1)   “Teens are witnessing their parents engaged in texting while driving (2) and are then expected to do differently”, said OTTER LLC Owner Erik Wood.  “We think a solution is to see our teens as an asset in the fight against texting and driving and not as a liability”, explains Mr. Wood.   “Calling upon teens to be a part of the solution by holding their parents accountable will increase our chances in making a difference on our highways right now.”


HOW OTTER CAN CONTRIBUTE:

OTTER is the first app of its kind that integrates Auto Reply and GPS functionality to produce a tool that allows users to manage their texts while they are at home, in the office or, most importantly, on the highway. OTTER includes a GPS Parental Control feature for the highest risk drivers - teens.  OTTER offers a tool to the texting culture and not an invasive texting "lock down" system.    

With OTTER, parents can enter a session specific pass code on teen’s phones to make sure that GPS Mode is on when the user is driving.   Conversely, teens could do the same with their parent’s phone. “This paradigm shift towards mutual accountability not only shows respect to the growing teen texting group but it potentially doubles the number of non distracted drivers on our highways”, adds Erik Wood.  


ABOUT OTTER LLC:

OTTER LLC is a Seattle-based software company dedicated to making cell phone usage safer and more efficient.   This company revolves around personal responsibility and the belief that if you empower an individual with a simple but sophisticated tool like OTTER, this individual can manage their texts on their terms whether that be at home, in the office or on our highways.  For more information, visit http://www.OTTERapp.com

OTTER Background:

   * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVn2vRYaSAU


   * http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-24604-Sacramento-Cyber...
   * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKW2gGTMDyo



FOOTNOTES / REFERENCES:
1.  http://www.pewinternet.org/Media-Mentions/2010/Adults-as-likely-to-text-while-driving-as-teens.aspx

2.   http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/press/driving-new-survey-finds,1369006.html

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OTTER LLC is a Seattle-based software company dedicated to making cell phone usage safer and more efficient. This company revolves around personal responsibility and the belief that if you empower an individual with a simple but sophisticated tool like OTTER, this individual can manage their texts on their terms whether that be at home, in the office or on our highways. For more information, visit http://www.OTTERapp.com